Sunday, February 22, 2009

C# Programming: From Problem Analysis to Program Design, Second Edition

Author: Barbara Doyl

Master the problem-solving skills and techniques associated with object-oriented program development using this hands-on, reader-friendly text. C# Programming: From Problem Analysis to Program Design, Second Edition, introduces a variety of basic programming concepts, from data types and expressions to arrays and collections, all using C# as the programming language. Ideal for both novices and programmers with experience in other languages, this book goes beyond traditional programming books by including new, advanced software development features that are often only found in specialized books. Full chapters are devoted to ADO.NET and ASP.NET. The second edition has been revised to include new features of Visual C# 2005, including generics and partial classes, so readers receive an up-to-date education on programming.

Programming HD-DVD and Blu-Ray Disc

Author: Zink

The ultimate book/DVD package for HD and Blu-Ray DVD applicationsThis complete book/DVD package covers everything you need to know in order to write optical working code for HD and Blu-Ray DVD applications.This comprehensive tutorial not only teaches the new programming skills but also includes large chunks of reusable code and demonstrates actual code outcomes. Michael Zink is the Director of Advanced Technology at Technicolor and responsible for establishing the HD-DVD and Blu-ray production lines in the company’s Burbank facility. Phil Carl Starner is a Software Engineer with Javelin Ventures LLC, and the author of more than 400 DVDs. His game “Who Wants to Be King of the Jungle” won a DVDX Award for Best Games and Interactivities. Bill Foote is a Senior Staff Engineer with Sun Microsystems, who authored many portions of Sun’s Java TV and DVB-MHP specifications.

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Absolute Beginner's Guide to Quattro Pro X

Author: Elaine J Marmel

More and more people are learning the advantages of using Corel's Quattro Pro over other spreadsheet applications. If you have joined their ranks, this book is for you! Absolute Beginner's Guide to Quattro Pro is endorsed by Corel, and offers a straight-forward, no-nonsense approach to the basics. With the help of this book, you will learn how to efficiently manage, analyze, report, and share data, and then move on to more advanced features.

Deploying .NET Applications with MSBuild and ClickOnce

Author: Sayed Y Hashiimi

Whether building a console application, a web service, or a smart client, you eventually need to distribute your finished work. Deploying .NET Applications is a complete guide to delivering applications built with .NET. Packed with hands-on guidance, practical examples, and war stories from the authors' many experiences with deployment scenarios, this book provides everything you need to know.

The book begins by introducing the deployment problem, then examines why deployment is an engineering problem for organizations. Subsequent chapters provide detail about deploying each type of application, then discuss automated deployments. You'll want to get ahold of this book because it

Includes hands-on detail about the newest deployment tools, MSBuild and ClickOnce

Friday, February 20, 2009

Hacking the PSP: Cool Hacks, Mods, and Customizations for the Sony Playstation Portable, Second Edition (Extremetech)

Author: Auri Rahimzadeh

We're not just playing games. You love your PSP. You loved the first edition of this book. If you're ready for more fun, here it is. Check out: Networking hacks that let you IM and speed up multiplayer game action. Awesome audio, video, and image hacks. Game hacks that let you use a single UMD cartridge for multiplayer games. The ever-popular homebrew applications, with secrets for sneaking them past the firmware. We're taking playtime to a whole new level.

Let the fun begin with complete instructions on how to do all this and more with your PSP, including:

• Speeding up Web surfing.

• Getting maximum quality when moving video or audio to your PSP.

• Using your PSP like an iPod.

• Transfering DVDs to your PSP.

• Getting more power.

• Playing multiplayer games with a single UMD.

• Writing homebrew apps, even if you've never programmed before.

• Learning to fool, and even downgrade, your firmware.

• Running Linux® and Windows®.

Visit hackingpsp.com to post your questions on the author's forum, download any files you need, get updates to the book, and check out new hacks the moment they're available.

Table of Contents:

Acknowledgments.

Chapter 1: Introduction.

Chapter 2: Overview of the PSP.

Chapter 3: Quickies.

Chapter 4: Taking Apart Your PSP.

Chapter 5: Getting Online: Configuring Your PSP for Networking.

Chapter 6: The Web on Your PSP.

Chapter 7: Online Hacks.

Chapter 8: Offline Hacks.

Chapter 9: Game Hacks.

Chapter 10: Video Hacks.

Chapter 11: Audio Hacks.

Chapter 12: Image and Photo Hacks.

Chapter 13: Getting More Power.

Chapter 14: Taking Your PSP on the Road.

Chapter 15: Running Linux and Windows on the PSP.

Chapter 16: Downgrading Your PSP’s Firmware and Other Firmware Hacks.

Chapter 17: Programming the PSP: Setting Up the Development Environment.

Chapter 18: Programming the PSP: Hello World.

Chapter 19: Running Homebrew Applications.

Chapter 20: Installing and Running Homebrew on PSPs with Firmware Version 2.00.

Chapter 21: Installing and Running Homebrew on PSPs with Firmware Version 2.01 Through 2.60.

Database Development For Dummies

Author: Allen G Taylor

From ATMs to the personal finance, online shopping to networked information management, databases permeate every nook and cranny of our highly-connected, information-intensive world. Databases have become so integral to the business environment that, nowadays, it’s next to impossible to stay competitive without the assistance of some sort of database technology—no matter what type or size of business you run. But developing your own database can be very tricky. In fact, whether you want to keep records for a small business or run a large e-commerce website, developing the right database system can be a major challenge. Which is where this friendly guide comes in.

From data modeling methods and development tools to Internet accessibility and security, Database Development For Dummies shows you, step-by-step, everything you need to know about building a custom system from the ground up. You’ll discover how to:

Model data accurately

Design a reliable functional database

Deliver robust relational databases on time and on budget

Build a user-friendly database application

Put your database on the Web

In plain English, author Allen Taylor acquaints you with the most popular data modeling methods, and he shows you how to systematically design and develop a system incorporating a database and one or more applications that operate on it. Important topics he explores include:

Understanding database architecture and how it has evolved

Recognizing how database technology affects everyday life

Using a structured approach to database development

Creating an appropriate data model

Developing a reliable relational design

Understanding the complexities you’re likely to encounter in designing a database and how to simplify them

Today’s powerful, low-cost database development tools make it possible for virtually anybody to create their own database. Get Database Development For Dummies and discover what it takes to design, develop and implement a sophisticated database system tailored to you and your company’s current and future data storage and management needs.

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Learning PHP 5

Author: David Sklar

PHP has gained a following among non-technical web designerswho need to add interactive aspects to their sites. Offering a gentle learning curve, PHP is an accessible yet powerful language for creating dynamic web pages. As its popularity has grown, PHP's basic feature set has become increasingly more sophisticated. Now PHP 5 boasts advanced featuressuch as new object-oriented capabilities and support for XML and Web Servicesthat will please even the most experienced web professionals while still remaining user-friendly enough for those with a lower tolerance for technical jargon.

If you've wanted to try your hand at PHP but haven't known where to start, then Learning PHP 5 is the book you need. If you've wanted to try your hand at PHP but haven't known where to start, then Learning PHP 5 is the book you need. With attention to both PHP 4 and the new PHP version 5, it provides everything from a explanation of how PHP works with your web server and web browser to the ins and outs of working with databases and HTML forms. Written by the co-author of the popular PHP Cookbook, this book is for intelligent (but not necessarily highly-technical) readers. Learning PHP 5 guides you through every aspect of the language you'll need to master for professional web programming results. This book provides a hands-on learning experience complete with exercises to make sure the lessons stick.

Learning PHP 5 covers the following topics, and more:

How PHP works with your web browser and web server

PHP language basics, including data, variables, logic and looping

Working with arrays and functions

Making web forms

Working with databases like MySQL

Remembering users with sessions

Parsing and generating XML

Debugging

Written by David Sklar, coauthor of the PHP Cookbook and an instructor in PHP, this book offers the ideal classroom learning experience whether you're in a classroom or on your own. From learning how to install PHP to designing database-backed web applications, Learning PHP 5 will guide you through every aspect of the language you'll need to master to achieve professional web programming results.

Does it seem like your teen can't tear herself away from friends on the computer screen (except to text them on her cell phone)? That's because MySpace, Facebook and YouTube are your son or daughter's life, not just another passing diversion. All that energy and time spent online is affecting your teen's life in countless ways, from sexual pressure and privacy to social standing and self-esteem.

Some schools are banning online networking sites, yet your child insists they're "no big deal." Who's right? Drawing on personal interviews with hundreds of teens, educator Candice M. Kelsey helps parents assess what they shouldand shouldn'tbe worried about when it comes to technology. A landmark book, Generation MySpace is the first guide to the new world of online adolescence, where you'll discover:

The Appeal of MySpace: How interaction becomes addictive, and how to stop it from taking control

Profiles, Adds, and Top 8 Popularity: How "friending" is redefining friendship

Baring It All: How kids as young as eleven are learning to market themselvesand why they're looking to celebrities and porn stars first

The Drug Connection: How social networking has made illicit substances easier for teens to get, and even easier to hide

From Predators to Cyber-Bullies: How to help your kids protect themselves

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Applied Microsoft .NET Framework Programming

Author: Jeffrey Richter

The Microsoft® .NET Framework allows developers to quickly build robust, secure ASP.NET Web Forms and XML Web service applications, Windows® Forms applications, tools, and types. Find out all about its common language runtime and learn how to leverage its power to build, package, and deploy any kind of application or component. APPLIED MICROSOFT .NET FRAMEWORK PROGRAMMING is ideal for anyone who understands object-oriented programming concepts such as data abstraction, inheritance, and polymorphism. The book carefully explains the extensible type system of the .NET Framework, examines how the runtime manages the behavior of types, and explores how an application manipulates types. While focusing on C#, it presents concepts applicable to all programming languages that target the .NET Framework. Topics covered include:

. The .NET Framework architecture

. Building, packaging, deploying, and administering applications and their types

. Building and deploying shared assemblies

. Type fundamentals

. Primitive, reference, and value types

. Operations common to all objects

. Type members and accessibility

. Constants, fields, methods, properties, and events

. Working with text

. Enumerated types and bit flags

. Array types

. Interfaces

. Custom attributes

. Delegates

. Error handling with exceptions

. Automatic memory management

. AppDomains and reflectionIncludes coverage of C#

Table of Contents:

AcknowledgmentsIntroduction

PART I BASICS OF THE MICROSOFT .NET FRAMEWORK1. The Architecture of the .NET Framework Development PlatformCompiling Source Code into Managed ModulesCombining Managed Modules into AssembliesLoading the Common Language RuntimeExecuting Your Assembly's Code IL and VerificationThe .NET Framework Class LibraryThe Common Type SystemThe Common Language SpecificationInteroperability with Unmanaged Code2. Building, Packaging, Deploying, and Administering Applications and Types.NET Framework Deployment GoalsBuilding Types into a ModuleCombining Modules to Form an Assembly Adding Assemblies to a Project Using the Visual Studio .NET IDE Using the Assembly Linker Including Resource Files in the AssemblyAssembly Version Resource Information Version NumbersCultureSimple Application Deployment (Privately Deployed Assemblies)Simple Administrative Control (Configuration)3. Shared AssembliesTwo Kinds of Assemblies, Two Kinds of DeploymentGiving an Assembly a Strong NameThe Global Assembly Cache The Internal Structure of the GACBuilding an Assembly That References a Strongly Named AssemblyStrongly Named Assemblies Are Tamper-ResistantDelayed SigningPrivately Deploying Strongly Named AssembliesSide-by-Side ExecutionHow the Runtime Resolves Type ReferencesAdvanced Administrative Control (Configuration) Publisher Policy ControlRepairing a Faulty Application

PART II WORKING WITH TYPES AND THE COMMON LANGUAGE RUNTIME4. Type FundamentalsAll Types Are Derived from System.ObjectCasting Between Types Casting with the C# is and as OperatorsNamespaces and Assemblies5. Primitive, Reference, and Value TypesProgramming Language Primitive Types Checked and Unchecked Primitive Type OperationsReference Types and Values TypesBoxing and Unboxing Value Types6. Common Object OperationsObject Equality and Identity Implementing Equals for a Reference Type Whose Base Classes Don't Override Object's Equals Implementing Equals for a Reference Type When One or More of Its Base Classes Overrides Object's Equals Implementing Equals for a Value Type Summary of Implementing Equals and the ==/!= Operators IdentityObject Hash CodesObject Cloning

PART III DESIGNING TYPES7. Type Members and Their AccessibilityType MembersAccessibility Modifiers and Predefined Attributes Type Predefined Attributes Field Predefined Attributes Method Predefined Attributes8. Constants and FieldsConstantsFields9. MethodsInstance ConstructorsType ConstructorsOperator Overload Methods Operators and Programming Language InteroperabilityConversion Operator MethodsPassing Parameters by Reference to a MethodPassing a Variable Number of Parameters to a MethodHow Virtual Methods Are CalledVirtual Method Versioning10. PropertiesParameterless PropertiesParameterful Properties11. EventsDesigning a Type That Exposes an EventDesigning a Type That Listens for an EventExplicitly Controlling Event RegistrationDesigning a Type That Defines Lots of EventsDesigning the EventHandlerSet TypePART IV ESSENTIAL TYPES12. Working with TextCharactersThe System.String Type Constructing Strings Strings Are Immutable Comparing Strings String Interning String Pooling Examining a String's Characters Other String OperationsDynamically Constructing a String Efficiently Constructing a StringBuilder Object StringBuilder's MembersObtaining a String Representation for an Object Specific Formats and Cultures Formatting Multiple Objects into a Single String Providing Your Own Custom FormatterParsing a String to Obtain an ObjectEncodings: Converting Between Characters and Bytes Encoding/Decoding Streams of Characters and Bytes Base-64 String Encoding and Decoding13. Enumerated Types and Bit FlagsEnumerated TypesBit Flags14. ArraysAll Arrays Are Implicitly Derived from System.ArrayCasting ArraysPassing and Returning ArraysCreating Arrays That Have a Nonzero Lower BoundFast Array AccessRedimensioning an Array15. InterfacesInterfaces and InheritanceDesigning an Application That Supports Plug-In ComponentsChanging Fields in a Boxed Value Type Using InterfacesImplementing Multiple Interfaces That Have the Same MethodExplicit Interface Member Implementations16. Custom AttributesUsing Custom AttributesDefining Your Own AttributeAttribute Constructor and Field/Property Data TypesDetecting the Use of a Custom AttributeMatching Two Attribute Instances Against Each OtherPseudo-Custom Attributes17. DelegatesA First Look at DelegatesUsing Delegates to Call Back Static MethodsUsing Delegates to Call Back Instance MethodsDemystifying DelegatesSome Delegate History: System.Delegate and System.MulticastDelegateComparing Delegates for EqualityDelegate ChainsC#'s Support for Delegate ChainsHaving More Control over Invoking a Delegate ChainDelegates and Reflection

PART V MANAGING TYPES18. ExceptionsThe Evolution of Exception HandlingThe Mechanics of Exception Handling The try Block The catch Block The finally BlockWhat Exactly Is an Exception?The System.Exception ClassFCL-Defined Exception ClassesDefining Your Own Exception ClassHow to Use Exceptions Properly You Can't Have Too Many finally Blocks Don't Catch Everything Gracefully Recovering from an Exception Backing Out of a Partially Completed Operation When an Unrecoverable Exception Occurs Hiding an Implementation DetailWhat's Wrong with the FCLPerformance ConsiderationsCatch FiltersUnhandled Exceptions Controlling What the CLR Does When an Unhandled Exception Occurs Unhandled Exceptions and Windows Forms Unhandled Exceptions and ASP.NET Web Forms Unhandled Exceptions and ASP.NET XML Web ServicesException Stack Traces Remoting Stack TracesDebugging Exceptions Telling Visual Studio What Kind of Code to Debug19. Automatic Memory Management (Garbage Collection)Understanding the Basics of Working in a Garbage-Collected PlatformThe Garbage Collection AlgorithmFinalization What Causes Finalize Methods to Get Called Finalization InternalsThe Dispose Pattern: Forcing an Object to Clean Up Using a Type That Implements the Dispose Pattern C#'s using Statement An Interesting Dependency IssueWeak References Weak Reference InternalsResurrection Designing an Object Pool Using ResurrectionGenerationsProgrammatic Control of the Garbage CollectorOther Garbage Collector Performance Issues Synchronization-Free Allocations Scalable Parallel Collections Concurrent Collections Large ObjectsMonitoring Garbage Collections20. CLR Hosting, AppDomains, and ReflectionMetadata: The Cornerstone of the .NET FrameworkCLR HostingAppDomains Accessing Objects Across AppDomain Boundaries AppDomain Events Applications and How They Host the CLR and Manage AppDomains "Yukon"The Gist of ReflectionReflecting Over an Assembly's TypesReflecting Over an AppDomain's AssembliesReflecting Over a Type's Members: BindingExplicitly Loading Assemblies Loading Assemblies as "Data Files" Building a Hierarchy of Exception-Derived TypesExplicitly Unloading Assemblies: Unloading an AppDomainObtaining a Reference to a System.Type ObjectReflecting Over a Type's Members Creating an Instance of a Type Calling a Type's Method Bind Once, Invoke Multiple TimesReflecting Over a Type's InterfacesReflection Performance

Network Security Foundations

Author: Matthew Streb

The world of IT is always evolving, but in every area there are stable, core concepts that anyone just setting out needed to know last year, needs to know this year, and will still need to know next year. The purpose of the Foundations series is to identify these concepts and present them in a way that gives you the strongest possible starting point, no matter what your endeavor.

Network Security Foundations provides essential knowledge about the principles and techniques used to protect computers and networks from hackers, viruses, and other threats. What you learn here will benefit you in the short term, as you acquire and practice your skills, and in the long term, as you use them. Topics covered include:

Monday, February 16, 2009

Object-Oriented Design Heuristics

Author: Arthur Riel

Object-Oriented Design Heuristics offers insight into object-oriented design improvement. The more than sixty guidelines presented in this book are language-independent and allow you to rate the integrity of a software design. The heuristics are not written as hard and fast rules; they are meant to serve as warning mechanisms which allow the flexibility of ignoring the heuristic as necessary. This tutorial-based approach, born out of the author's extensive experience developing software, teaching thousands of students, and critiquing designs in a variety of domains, allows you to apply the guidelines in a personalized manner. The heuristics cover important topics ranging from classes and objects (with emphasis on their relationships including association, uses, containment, and both single and multiple inheritance) to physical object-oriented design. You will gain an understanding of the synergy that exists between design heuristics and the popular concept of design patterns; heuristics can highlight a problem in one facet of a design while patterns can provide the solution. Programmers of all levels will find value in this book. The newcomer will discover a fast track to understanding the concepts of object-oriented programming. At the same time, experienced programmers seeking to strengthen their object-oriented development efforts will appreciate the insightful analysis. In short, with Object-Oriented Design Heuristics as your guide, you have the tools to become a better software developer.

Table of Contents:

Preface

Acknowledgements

1

The Motivation for Object-Oriented Programming

1

2

Classes and Objects: The Building Blocks of the Object-Oriented Paradigm

Security Patterns: Integrating Security and Systems Engineering

Author: Duane Hybertson

Most security books are targeted at security engineers and specialists. Few show how build security into software. None breakdown the different concerns facing security at different levels of the system: the enterprise, architectural and operational layers. Security Patterns addresses the full spectrum of security in systems design, using best practice solutions to show how to integrate security in the broader engineering process.

• Essential for designers building large-scale systems who want best practice solutions to typical security problems

• Real world case studies illustrate how to use the patterns in specific domains

Dissecting a C# Application: Inside SharpDevelop

SharpDevelop is a complete Integrated Development Environment, written in C#. It includes all the advanced features that programmers expect from a modern IDE and, of course, implementing these features has required some advanced programming techniques.

The developers who created SharpDevelop give you an inside track on application development with a guided tour of the sourcecode for SharpDevelop. They will show you the most important code features and explain how you can use these techniques in your own projects. You will gain valuable experience of building an application on this scale, learning from the decisions, mistakes, problems and solutions that lead to the current version on SharpDevelop.

The SharpDevelop team will show you how to:

Build a highly modular application

Provide a flexible, extendable, customizable user interface

Manage the efforts of translators for effcient internationalization

Represent and manipulate text efficiently

Code search and replace functionality

Construct reusable controls

Implement a parser to provide syntax highlightingauto-completion as users type

Use reflection to access information about .NET classes

Create a Windows Forms designer

Generate code programmatically

All of these techniques are shown in the context of the source of the SharpDevelop application - a real piece of software that you can download and user yourself. This means that there are no 'toy' examples or theory that will not work in practice - just solid, real-world code and frank discussions of how it was created.

This series of step-by-step guides acquaints amateur digital photographers with the full spectrum of techniques and technology they need to attain the professional edge in digital imaging. The manuals offer a clear, no-nonsense approach to teaching basic skills, such as understanding the basic functions of the digital camera and how to arrange a photograph artistically, while more experienced photographers will profit from the guides that focus on complex issues, including effective posing and lighting strategies, color and image balancing methods, and design techniques for perfecting the digital image in Adobe Photoshop Elements.

This thorough composition guide details the various components involved in composing a professional-looking, artistically arranged photograph. Basic elements of photography, different image formats and backgrounds, and the importance of color and image balance are discussed along with tips on subject placement, such as using attention-grabbing elements and naturally existing lines to help a scene or subject look its best. How to keep the image simple and improve backgrounds post-capture are also reviewed.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Business the Amazon.com Way: Secrets of the World's Most Astonishing Web Business (Big Shots Series)

Author: Rebecca Saunders

Having toppled the bookselling giants on-line, Jeff Bezos is now leading Amazon.com its list, not to mention a makeover for the web's most recognisable site, is Amazon pushing its luck or positioning for the future of e-commerce? The so-called 'market correction' has questioned the future of e-retailing, but for Amazon the future is still bright.Now completely updated for this new edition, Business the Amazon.com Way shows how Jeff Bezos is leading Amazon into the harvesting phase, promising a great ride for investors, a great experience for shoppers and a model for entrepreneurs and business leaders everywhere.

First Course in Database Systems

Author: Jeffrey D Ullman

Written by well-known computer scientists, this accessible and succinct introduction to database systems focuses on database design and use. It provides in-depth coverage of databases from the point of view of the database designer, user, and application programmer. The authors provide an overview of important programming systems (e.g., SQL, JDBC, PSM, CLI, PHP, XQuery, etc.) and the intellectual framework to put them into context. For software engineers, database engineers, and programmers.

Booknews

Designed for a one-semester advanced-undergraduate or beginning- graduate course introducing database design, programming, and other aspects that will be elaborated in further courses for computer- science students. Assumes a sophomore-level knowledge of data structures, algorithms, discrete math, software systems and engineering, and programming languages. Support is available on the World Wide Web. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Palm for Dummies (2nd Edition)

Author: Bill Dyszel

* Covers the capabilities of the latest Palm operating system, OS 5.0, including the ability to make phone calls and access "always-on" corporate e-mail. * Author is a nationally-known expert on personal information and sales automation technology.

The Art and technique of Digital Color Correction

Author: Steve Hullfish

"Color correction has always been a true tradecraft. The only way you learned was by sitting at the feet of a master.Steve has demystified much of that and given both beginners and professionals a fantastic resource. Reading this is like sitting at the feet of the masters." Lucas Wilson, ASSIMILATE, INC.

"...demystifies the technical art of color correction by patiently distilling the wisdom of over a dozen professional colorists down to a skillset any dedicated editor or motion graphics artist can learn." Chris Meyer, Founding Partner, CyberMotion; author  Creating Motion Graphics with After Effects, currently in its 4th Edition; After Effects Apprentice

"...great for editors who are tackling their first color-grading job as well as those who do it every day, but want a deeper understanding of how to turn color correction into color enhancement.... Hullfish goes past the 'how-to' so you alsounderstand the 'why'. This book is a must-have for anyone involved in color correction for video." Oliver Peters, President and Founder, Oliver Peters Post Production Services

Containing decades of industry experience and know-how, The Art and Technique of Digital Color Correction shows postproduction professionals how to take their art to the next level. Featuring correction techniques performed in a variety of color correction software applications (Apple's Color, Synthetic Aperture's Color Finesse, Avid Xpress Pro, among others), this book turns what has long been a misunderstood 'black art' into a set of skills that any dedicated editor or motion graphics artist can begin to master. Packed with explanations, tips, and concepts thatbuild on each other, The Art and Technique of Digital Color Correction will teach you how to:

The Art and Technique of Digital Color Correction features unprecedented insight into the skills needed to master this essential art. The book allows you to improve your grading art and craft with techniques and inspiration from the masters, as more than a dozen industry professionals guide you through their grading process, explaining the "hows" and "whys" of each grade. Colorists looking to hone their skills can work side-by-side with these pros by examining each color-grading step they make on the tutorial video files included on the companion DVD.

Steve Hullfish has been a producer and on-line editor for over 20 years. Through his company, Verascope Pictures, he produces and consults for clients such as Universal Studios, NBC Television, Turner Networks, HIT Entertainment and VeggieTales.

Designing Patchwork on Your Computer

Instructions refer to a basic graphics program included in most computers.

Looking for more options to add personal touches to your quilts, without spending hours drawing and redrawing designs? You'll find the answers you seek in Designing Patchwork on Your Computer. The book and enclosed CD provide step-by-step instructions for designing a wide range of patchwork blocks using just a few keystrokes, and then combining the blocks to create customized quilts and wall hangings. Additional chapters on color selection and customizing, sashing and borders help you to expand your skills.

DarkBASIC Programming for the Absolute Beginner

Author: Jerry Lee Ford Jr

Looking for an inexpensive way to learn the fundamentals of game programming? Look no further! DarkBASIC Programming for the Absolute Beginner will provide you with a fun, gentle learning curve for learning DarkBASIC no prior programming experience required! DarkBASIC is an inexpensive programming language that supports the development of desktop applications, but is especially useful for game creation. DarkBASIC Programming for the Absolute Beginner will touch on all aspects of DarkBASIC's capabilities, but emphasis is placed on using it in game development. A different programming concept is taught in every chapter walking you through the creation of a simple game to illustrate the concept. This "learn by doing" approach not only provides a sense of accomplishment, but it's also a fun way to learn. By the end of the book, you'll have a fundamental understanding of programming in DarkBASIC and an excellent foundation of knowledge for future forays into the exciting worlds of game development and computer programming.

Table of Contents:

Table of Contents Introduction Why DarkBASIC? Who Should Read This Book? What You Need to Begin How This Book is Organized Conventions Used in this Book Part IIntroducing DarkBASIC Chapter 1Introducing DarkBASIC Chapter 2Getting Comfortable with the DarkBASIC Development Environment Part IILearning How to Program with DarkBASIC Chapter 3Working with Data Types, Variables and Arrays Chapter 5Executing Commands and Generating Output Chapter 4Implementing Conditional Logic and Executing Loops Chapter 6Organizing Code Logic Using Subroutines Part IIIAdvanced Topics Chapter 7Working with Graphics and Sound Chapter 8 Generating Animation Using Sprites Chapter 9Working with Input Devices Chapter 10 Finding and Fixing Application Errors Part IVAppendices Appendix A What's on the Companion Web Site? DarkBASIC Source code Appendix B What Next? A. Recommended Reading B. Locating DarkBASIC Resources Online Glossary

Sunday, February 8, 2009

SAP Netweaver For Dummies

Author: Dan Woods

Imagine that it’s the 1950s, and you are in charge of developing the U. S. interstate system. There are countless roads already in use. The system can go in numerous different directions. Where do you begin?

Starting to transform your business with SAP NetWeaver is that daunting. NetWeaver is both an application platform and an integration platform. It integrates your current IT systems to enable portals, collaboration, data management, and development environments. To grasp the complexities and possibilities of SAP ASAP, dig in with SAP NetWeaver For Dummies and explore:

• Web Application Service and NetWeaver Developer Studio—tools that let you integrate and create your own customized applications

Written by Dan Woods, former CTO of The Street.com and CapitalThinking, and Jeffrey Word, the Director of Technology Strategy for SAP, this guide features real-life stories from businesses and examples of typical uses to help you cut through the complexities and get upand running. It includes a CD-ROM with:

• Detailed white papers and product overviews

• Stores from customers using SAP NetWeaver today

• Demos that show SAP NetWeaver in action

• A directory of resources for additional information

Like that interstate system, SAP NetWeaver doesn’t have to be integrated all at once. You choose the applications that have the most potential to benefit your company’s operations and bottom line. SAP NetWeaver For Dummies even gives you recommendations for rolling it out and suggests practical ways to get started and get quick returns on your SAP investment. Then you’re going full-speed ahead on the road to success!

Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 Resource Kit

Author: Kay Unkroth

Get the definitive resource for administering Exchange 2003--with in-depth technical information and tools developed by the Microsoft Exchange Server team. This exhaustive, 1,000+ page reference delivers the information you need to design solutions that meet your business and technical objectives, accelerate deployments, implement best practices, avoid problems, and meet the requirements of your service level agreements. Topics include planning, deployment, administration, automation, security services, monitoring, optimization, troubleshooting, and disaster recovery. You also get a CD packed with essential tools, administrative scripts, job aids, and a fully searchable eBook--everything you need to help save time and reduce ownership and support costs.

Saturday, February 7, 2009

Sams Teach Yourself Beginning Programming in 24 Hours

Author: Greg Perry

Sams Teach Yourself Beginning Programming in 24 Hours, Second Edition explains the basics of programming in the successful 24-Hours format. The book begins with the absolute basics of programming: Why program? What tools to use? How does a program tell the computer what to do? It teaches readers how to program the computer and then moves on by exploring the some most popular programming languages in use. The author starts by introducing the reader to the Basic language and finishes with basic programming techniques for Java, C++, and others.

Library Journal

The first half of this useful introduction concentrates on inculcating general programming concepts through Liberty Basic examples. The second half familiarizes readers with Java and takes them on a whirlwind tour of Visual Basic, C and C++, DHTML, XML, and .NET, with some attention paid to the business of programming. A companion CD-ROM contains Sun's Java Software Development Kit and Liberty Basic, plus source code from the book. Recommended for public libraries. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

Advanced Microsoft Office Documents 2007 Edition Inside Out

Author: Stephanie Krieger

Learn everything you need to know for creating dynamic, robust, more secure documents with the 2007 Microsoft Office systemfrom the inside out! This book packs in hundreds of time-saving solutions, troubleshooting tips, and the workarounds you need for creating and sharing powerful documents and templatesall in concise, fast-answer format. Ideal for users with more advanced experience using either the 2007 Office suites or earlier editions of Office, this comprehensive guide moves beyond the basics. You will learn how to use Microsoft Office Word 2007, Microsoft Office Excel 2007, and Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2007 to create exactly the document you needfrom business communications to sophisticated business reports and professional-looking presentations. You'll learn how to create templates and custom macros and how to build custom add-ins. You'll even learn how to exploit new XML document formats. Plus, you'll get tools, eBooks, and more on the companion CD. With INSIDE OUT, you get all muscle and no fluff!

Friday, February 6, 2009

Phpeclipse User Guide

Author: Shu Wai Chow

PHPEclipse brings PHP functionality to the Eclipse platform, enhancing it as an environment for developing web applications and focusing on what PHP web developers need to create an application. PHPEclipse’s development is active and its tool-set provides everything you need to write web applications in PHP.

The fusion of Eclipse, the leading open source development environment, and PHP is an exciting prospect for web developers. This book makes sure that you are up and running as quickly as possible, ready to take full advantage of PHPEclipse's tuned PHP development tools, without requiring any prior knowledge of Eclipse.

You will begin with installing and configuring PHPEclipse, before moving onto a tour of the Eclipse environment, familiarizing you with its main components. As a plug-in to Eclipse, PHPEclipse is able to harness the platform to provide a rich and powerful development experience.

For helping you improve the efficiency of your PHP coding, the book details the powerful editing features of PHPEclipse, and shows you how to use it to better organize your application code.

You will see how PHPEclipse helps you throughout the development lifecycle, and learn how to use PHPEclipse's debugger to troubleshoot and step through your PHP code as it executes. The book rounds off with coverage of accessing databases and managing source code from within the Eclipse environment. For the final step for your application, you will learn how to deploy your to a production server.

Features include : debugging, using PHPDocumentor, the QuantumDB plug-in, managing your source code repository, deployment using FTP, SFTP, WebDav andAnt.1904811442.jpg Shu-Wai Chow has worked in computer programming and information technology for the past eight years. He started his career in Sacramento, California, spending four years as the webmaster for Educaid, a First Union Company and another four years at Vision Service Plan as an application developer. Through the years, he has become proficient in Java, JSP, PHP, ColdFusion, ASP, LDAP, XSLT, and XSL-FO. Shu has also been the volunteer webmaster and a feline adoption counselor for the Sacramento Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. He is currently a software engineer at Antenna Software in Jersey City, New Jersey.

Born in the British Crown Colony of Hong Kong, Shu did most of his alleged growing up in Palo Alto, California. He studied anthropology and economics at California State University, Sacramento. He lives along the New Jersey Coast with seven very demanding cats, three birds that are too smart for their own good, a cherished Fender Stratocaster, and a beloved, saint-like girlfriend.

Information Technology Governance and Service Management: Frameworks and Adaptations

Author: Aileen Cater Steel

"Increasingly, information technology governance is being considered an integral part of corporate governance. There has been a rapid increase in awareness and adoption of IT governance as well as the desire to conform to national governance requirements to ensure that IT is aligned with the objectives of the organization." Information Technology Governance and Service Management: Frameworks and Adaptations provides an in-depth view into the critical contribution of IT service management to IT governance, and the strategic and tactical value provided by effective service management. A must-have resource for academics, students, and practitioners in fields affected by IT in organizations, this work gathers authoritative perspectives on the state of research on organizational challenges and benefits in current IT governance frameworks, adoption, and incorporation.

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Digital Music Making for Teens

Author: Andy Hagerman

Get ready to move beyond the stage of simply ripping audio from CDs to the more creative ends of digital music production. The sheer volume and variety of computer-based production techniques can often seem daunting. "Digital Music Making for Teens" eases beginning musicians through that first crucial step into the larger world of digital production as it guides you through the process of building musical productions. This comprehensive, hands-on book covers not only the big picture, but also dives deep into each task, showing you how to use multiple tools to get the job done. Combine your need for artistic expression with a solid education and start your music making off on the right track.

Table of Contents:

Introduction

xi

Chapter 1

Sound and Music in the Digital Age

1

The First Day of Class

1

My Name Is Andy

2

Some Thoughts on the Study of Music

3

The Physics of Music

5

Volume (Amplitude)

5

Pitch (Frequency)

6

Analog to Digital

7

The Art of Music

8

Music as an Expressive Form

8

Elements of Music

8

Taking Back the Creativity (or the Difference Between Making Music and Copying Music)

A Practical Guide to Information Systems Strategic Planning

Author: Anita Cassidy

A Practical Guide to Information Systems Strategic Planning, Second Edition outlines a systematic approach to guide you through the development of an effective IS plan that is formulated from your company's business plan. This volume outlines a quick and easy approach to completing a plan, offering concepts, techniques, and templates for analyzing, organizing, and communicating the information contained in an IS strategic plan. The process described unites an organization in a collaborative effort resulting in a solid direction that has the support of the entire organization. Establishing this process cultivates the support of management, enabling the necessary investment.

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

“GPU Gems 2 isn’t meant to simply adorn your bookshelf—it’s required reading for anyone trying to keep pace with the rapid evolution of programmable graphics. If you’re serious about graphics, this book will take you to the edge of what the GPU can do.”

—Remi Arnaud, Graphics Architect at Sony Computer Entertainment

“The topics covered in GPU Gems 2 are critical to the next generation of game engines.”

This sequel to the best-selling, first volume of GPU Gems details the latest programming techniques for today’s graphics processing units (GPUs). As GPUs find their way into mobile phones, handheld gaming devices, and consoles, GPU expertise is even more critical in today’s competitive environment. Real-time graphics programmers will discover the latest algorithms for creating advanced visual effects, strategies for managing complex scenes, and advanced image processing techniques. Readers will also learn new methods for using the substantial processing power of the GPU in other computationally intensive applications, such as scientific computing and finance. Twenty of the book’s forty-eight chapters are devoted to GPGPU programming, from basic concepts to advanced techniques. Written by experts in cutting-edge GPU programming, this book offers readers practical means to harness the enormous capabilities of GPUs.

Capability Cases: A Solutions Envisioning Approach

Author: Irene Polikoff

Bridge the gap between business vision and software solution

Both IT organizations and business leaders recognize the urgent importance of aligning technology solutions with enterprise strategy. But they've struggled to do so... until now. Capability Cases represents a breakthrough: a powerful, systematic way to translate business vision into effective plans and system designs.

The authors' Solution Envisioning methodology addresses the crucial "front end" of software development, where you decide what to build, and how you're going to build it. Using realistic examples, they walk you through exploring the capabilities you need, capturing business best practices, identifying optimal solutions, and crafting software systems that deliver them.

Solution Envisioning enables you to specify solutions in half the time, build systems that more fully reflect your true needs, and dramatically reduce risk and cost throughout the entire development process. Dozens of companies have already discovered its value. With this book, you will, too.

Includes easy-to-use templates for developing business cases, concepts of operations, architectural decisions, and other key work products

Whether you're an executive, architect, project manager, developer, change agent, or consultant, Capability Cases will help youbridge the gap between vision and solution -- so you can finally get what you need from information technology.

Monday, February 2, 2009

Six Sigma Distribution Modeling

Author: Andrew D Sleeper

Sleeper provides six sigma practitioners with the tools which will allow them to stand out from your competitors by using advanced statistical and modeling tools for more in-depth analysis.Understanding and properly utilizing statistical data distributions is one of the most important and difficult skills for a six sigma practitioner to possess. Sleeper provides six sigma practitioners with a road map for selecting and using distributions for more precise outcomes. With the added value of Crystal Ball Modeling software, this book becomes a powerful tool for analyzing and modeling difficult data quickly and efficiently.

Andrew Sleeper is a Master Black Belt and General Manager of Successful Statistics, LLC. Since 1981, he has worked with product development teams as an engineer, statistician, project manager, Six Sigma Black Belt, and consultant. An experienced instructor of statistical tools for engineers, Mr. Sleeper has presented thousands of hours of training in countries around the world. Mr. Sleeper is also the author of Design For Six Sigma Statistics: 59 Tools for Diagnosing and Solving Problems in DFSS Initiatives, published by McGraw-Hill.

Chapter 25: Student's Distribution Family

Chapter 26: Triangular Distribution Family

Chapter 27: Uniform Distribution Family

Chapter 28: Weibull Distribution Family

REFERENCES

INDEX

How to Do Everything with Microsoft Office Infopath 2003 (How to Do Everything Series)

Author: David McAmis

Tap into the power of the newest member of Microsoft’s Office suite. Learn to use InfoPath’s robust set of tools to capture information that’s locked away in document-based forms. Quickly create forms and data-gathering applications that use XML to separate form and content. This “raw” information can then be integrated into back-end systems, providing an end-to-end solution for data capture in the enterprise.

Sunday, February 1, 2009

Interaction design is all around us. Whether or not we're aware of it, we experience it all the time. A new discipline in the design field, interaction design is fundamentally about people—about how we connect with the products and services we use, and through them, with each other. Incorporating elements from product design, communication design, computer science, and other design disciplines, interaction design focuses on the user experience and is ultimately best described as an applied art. We encounter good interaction design when we quickly and easily use an ATM, send a text message to a friend, order a movie using Netflix, or share our photos using Flickr. We encounter poor interaction design when we fumble with the self-service check-out at a grocery, stand in a long line at the Department of Motor Vehicles, or wait at a bus stop with no idea of when the next bus is coming.

Designing for Interaction: Creating Smart Applications and Clever Devices offers the perspective of one of the most respected experts in the field. Dan Saffer carefully defines this new practice, investigates what makes good (and bad) interaction design, explains the process by which good interaction design is produced, and addresses the future of interaction design as both a discipline and way of life. Whether you're an experienced interaction designer or simply curious about how interaction design informs our lives, you'll find much to enlighten you in this though-provoking book.

Unit Testing Frameworks

Author: Paul Hamill

Unit test frameworks are a key element of populardevelopment methodologies such as eXtreme Programming (XP) and Agile Development. But unit testing has moved far beyond eXtreme Programming; it is now common in many different types of application development. Unit tests help ensure low-level code correctness, reduce software development cycle time, improve developer productivity, and produce more robust software.

Until now, there was little documentation available on unit testing, and most sources addressed specific frameworks and specific languages, rather than explaining the use of unit testing as a language-independent, standalone development methodology. This invaluable new book covers the theory and background of unit test frameworks, offers step-by-step instruction in basic unit test development, provides useful code examples in both Java and C++, and includes details on some of the most commonly used frameworks today from the XUnit family, including JUnit for Java, CppUnit for C++, and NUnit for .NET.